- Date: 11 May 2024
- Walk Leader: Mandy Ray
- Distance: 10 miles
A Saturday walk Froxfield – Colemore – Priors Dean
A beautiful sunny Saturday morning greeted the group. Walking from The White Horse (The Pub With No Name), Froxfield, we headed out over dew-drenched fields of buttercups to emerge on the lane by Slade Farm. The route lead us past a crumbling Lye Farm and on to St Peter ad Vincula church, Colemore.
Leaving the church, we set off in the direction of Newton Valence across more rolling hills and pasture – most of the group managed to dodge some well concealed cowpats but there’s always one that takes a direct hit! Past long stretches of skilfully laid hedges and turning east to Cuckoo Copse, we ascended Holtham Lane, where the radomes ‘golf balls’ at RAF Oakhanger were visible in the distance, and on to descend Button’s Lane.
We passed the pond, overhung with blossom, at Vann Farm and joined Hangers Way in an ascent through woodland. We needed to take evasive action several times by leaping in wild garlic to give way to runners descending the path. Leaving Hangers Way with a sharp right turn, we continued to climb until the path opened out to fields of oilseed rape and borage.
Descending past Manor House to the hamlet of Priors Dean, we visited the churchyard to see the ancient yew tree before the climb back, past Windmill Copse, returning to The White Horse.
Author and Photographer: Mandy Ray